Board Biographies

David Burnham

(Term of Office: January 2017 - December 2020)Director Burnham was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017. He has been a resident of the Central Fire Protection District since 1974. He is a retired truck driver and currently works as an artist.Contact Director Burnham

James Cupples

(Term of Office: October 2012 - December 2018)
Director Cupples was elected to the Board of Directors in 2012. He has been a resident of the Central Fire Protection District since 1986 and is retired from a career in inside sales for the semiconductor industry.Contact Director Cupples

Barry Franchi

(Term of Office: May 2017 - December 2018)
Director Franchi was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2017. He has been a resident of the Central Fire Protection District since 2007. He is retired from a 28-year career with San Jose Fire Department where he served as a Fire Captain. Prior to that he was a firefighter with San Bruno Fire Department and a volunteer firefighter with the Belmont Fire Protection District. He teaches with the Nobody Gets Left Behind Training Group; is a volunteer with the Ride a Wave Foundation; is a member of the Pleasure Point Fighters who have been active in local fundraisers and sponsor local surf contests. Contact Director Franchi

Christopher Haas

(Term of Office: November 2013 - December 2018)
Director Haas was elected to the Board of Directors in 2013. He has been a resident of Central Fire Protection District since 2013. He currently works as an educator and life coach, and previously had a 32-year career as a professional firefighter. He holds a Master’s Degree in Emergency Services Management from California State University Long Beach and a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development from Saint Mary’s College of California. In addition, he is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Fire Officer Program through the National Fire Academy and holds a Chief Officer certificate from the California State Fire Marshal’s Office. He is a lifetime member of the California Training Officer’s Association.Contact Director Haas

John Lucchesi

(Term of Office: January 2017 - December 2020)
Director Lucchesi was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017. He has been a resident of Central Fire Protection District since 1973. He currently works in the retail industry, and previously had a career with numerous local fire agencies including Santa Clara County Fire Department, Soquel Fire District, UCSC Fire Department, and Santa Cruz City Fire Department. He holds an Associate’s degree from San Jose City College, State Chief Officer Certification, and a limited-scope teaching credential for the fire service. Contact Director Lucchesi

Owen Miller

(Term of Office: January 2017 - December 2020)
Director Miller was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017. He has been a resident of Central Fire Protection District 1980. He teaches fire science classes at Cabrillo College as an adjunct instructor and is a retired battalion chief with Central Fire Protection District. He holds a Associate’s degree in fire protection technology from Cabrillo College, a Bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Cogswell College, and has a State Chief Officer Certification. He is a member of the Retired Public Employees Association, the California Federation of Teachers, and president of the Santa Cruz County Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament.Contact Director Miller

Kevin Walter

(Term of Office: January 2017 - December 2020)
Director Walter was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017. He has been a resident of Central Fire Protection District since 1971. He is retired from the Santa Cruz Metro where he worked as a bus operator. He has also held positions with the Soquel School District as a member of the maintenance department, and as a Paid Call Firefighter and EMT for Central Fire Protection District. He is a member of the neighborhood organization Save Pleasure Point, and is a volunteer with the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter.Contact Director Walter